Zeekr X: New electric SUV priced from $57K

FROM rumour to road in less than nine months, the small 2025 Zeekr X electric SUV is now available for pre-order in Australia, priced from $56,900 before on-road costs.

The Zeekr X was revealed for the Chinese and European markets in early 2023. Outside of those markets, the Geely-owned Zeekr brand is best known as the vehicle development partner to Google’s Waymo autonomous ‘robotaxi’ service in the United States (a project now troubled by massive import tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles).

Confirmed for Australia in August, the new compact BEV is a platform mate to the Volvo EX30, Smart #1 & #3, Polestar 4 and the Lotus Eletre.

It will be the second most affordable of the bunch, with its $56,900 + ORC starting price positioning it neatly between the $54,900 + ORC Smart #1 and the $59,990 + ORC Volvo EX30.

The Polestar 4 and Lotus Eletre – bigger, more premium and more potent – are priced, respectively, from $81,500 + ORC and a whopping $239,000 + ORC.

Despite revealing in August that it will not pursue an online sales model, Zeekr has kicked off the X BEV’s debut with a ‘presale’ campaign on its website, offering potential buyers a pre-launch deal that includes a 12-month “unlimited charging subscription” and a 7kW home charger if they purchase before October 31.

The Australian line-up for the Zeekr X will include just two variants, defined by their drive configuration rather than as tiered trim grades. The Zeekr X RWD (rear-wheel drive) is priced from $56,900 + ORC while the Zeekr X AWD (all-wheel drive) leaps to $64,900 + ORC.

Outputs from the single-motor RWD are listed at 200kW and 343Nm against a claimed 5.6-second 0-100km/h time, but the AWD model boasts some big numbers, its dual-motor system delivering 315kW/543Nm and a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.8 seconds.

Despite the clear gap in capability, Zeekr describes both as “performance variants”, although they share the same 66kWh lithium-ion (NCM) battery pack – leaving the RWD model with a much greater driving range than the AWD, at 540km and 470km respectively.

These figures are as provided by Zeekr for Australia, using the NEDC-based ADR lab figures.

In Europe, the Zeekr X lists WLTP driving range figures (designed to be more realistic than NEDC/ADR) of 446km for the RWD and 425km for the AWD, comparing less favourably with the Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Plus (480km), despite using the same battery size.

Built on a 400V electrical system, both Zeekr X variants will charge from 10 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes on 150kW DC power, while an at-home charge to 100 per cent is an overnight affair at 11.5 hours for the RWD (7kW) and 7.5 hours for the AWD (if using a three-phase 11kW charger).

Standard features for the Zeekr X RWD include a Charcoal Black and Stone Grey interior theme, a panoramic glass roof, six-way powered driver’s seat adjustment, dual-zone climate control, rear air vents in the B pillars, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming frameless inside mirror, and a digital key through the Mobile Zeekr remote connectivity app.

The external mirrors are heated, with power-folding, position memory and auto dip in reverse.

Infotainment is through a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip (common among Chinese brands) powering an 8.8-inch driver display and 14.6-inch main screen, seven-speaker audio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Over-the-air updates are also standard, along with 5G and WiF connectivity plus an onboard WiFi hotspot.

Upgrading to the Zeekr X AWD adds a 24.3-inch augmented reality (AR) head-up display for the windscreen and ‘Intelligent B Pillar Display’ – a small touchscreen on the outside of the car that allows it to be unlocked through facial recognition or a PIN code – along with 13-speaker Yamaha premium audio, six-way powered front passenger seat adjustment, driver’s seat position memory, heating/ventilation and lumbar support adjustment for both front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ‘Ice Block’ ambient lighting.

The RWD model can be upgraded with a $4000 Convenience pack, adding all of the AWD’s above features except for the head-up display and Intelligent B Pillar Display.

Both variants offer vehicle-to-load (V2L) access as standard for powering conventional appliances, with interior and exterior points.

The Zeekr X RWD rides on 19-inch ‘Brilliance’ alloy wheels wrapped in 235/50 R19 Continental EcoContact 6 tyres, while the AWD gets 20-inch ‘Sport’ forged alloy wheels with 245/45 R20 Continental EcoContact 6 Q tyres.

A four-seat option is available for the Zeekr X overseas – with the two outboard rear seats gaining a centre console between them – but Australian models will feature five seats only.

Cargo space is listed at 362 litres with the rear seats up, growing to 1182L when folded. By comparison, the Volvo EX30 lists 318 litres and 904 litres respectively. Neither model offers a spare tyre on-board.

Exterior colours include Crystal White as standard, with Palace Beige, Mist Grey, Grid Grey and Pine Green all available as no-cost options. The Charcoal Black & Stone Grey interior colour combination is standard, while Midnight Blue & Polar White or Mulberry & Rose can be had for an extra $500 with all exterior colours except Pine Green.

Safety in both variants is provided by seven airbags, including a front centre airbag. Key features include adaptive cruise control, automated parking assist, automatic high beam, blind-spot monitoring, door opening warning, a digital video recorder, driver performance support, and evasive manoeuvre assist.

Zeekr also includes forward collision warning and mitigation, front cross traffic assist, and lane departure warning with lane-keeping, parking assist, a parking emergency brake, rear collision warning, and rear cross traffic assist.

Other safety features include traffic sign recognition, a tyre pressure monitoring system, 360-degree visual park assist, seatbelt reminder with a pressure sensor, and low-speed pedestrian warning sound.

Power rear child safety locks for doors and windows complement ISOFIX for outboard rear seats and top tether anchors for all rear seating positions.

The Zeekr X comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, with a reduced three-year/120,000km warranty for commercial use. The battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.

The service schedule requires maintenance every two years or 40,000km, whichever comes first. Five years of unlimited-kilometre roadside assistance and five years of connected services are also included.

Zeekr revealed in August that it expects to have nine franchised dealerships in Australia by the end of 2024, although its dealer partners and locations have not yet been announced.

The Zeekr X will be followed by the Zeekr 009 electric people mover before the end of 2024, with the Zeekr 7X electric medium SUV – likely to be the brand’s top seller – due sometime in 2025.

2025 Zeekr X pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs.